An idea that sounds good; looks good on paper; reality vs theory; and on and on.
I want this blog to show everyone, where I go with my tote.
All my totes.
Here and There and Everywhere.
And to explain... Why I am a Girl with a Tote. Because I wasn't always.
back story -
I liked small, quality purses, hand bags, bag. I still do.... But, as always, the main concept was QUALITY.
It had to be quality, because if I love it, I will use it and I won't have to keep shopping
and buying another bag. That was, and still is, my Mantra.
Quality vs Quantity
Once upon a time: I was happy with my British Tan, Coach leather purse. It had a light interior, fit my frame, I was happy with the handle and the shoulder strap AND it fit all my necessities of life within its confines.
But the style was LARGE. Large totes, purses, hand bags and it was time to make a change.
I started to shop; LARGE purses come with LARGE price tags and my purse, although was small and not so stylish, was good enough! So, I stayed with my Coach bag and looked, and looked.
Then one day, while shopping at TJ Maxx, I found TWO!
A large tan and a large dark brown Hamilton Michael Kors...
TOTE.
I liked the handle, 7 1/2" drop; I loved that it zipped; It was a pleasing color close to my beloved
British Tan Coach purse; but most of all it was moderately priced at $145.99
I carried both of them around the store for awhile, I couldn't choose between the British Tan and the
Dark Chocolate; I wanted both! I could only afford one :(
I chose the British Tan and sadly put the Dark Chocolate back on the rack. In the very back, behind
a shiny, hideous, orange velvet tote. Just in case I changed my mind and decided that food and gas
are not really that important in everyday life as another purse!
And so, my love affair with totes began with the Michael Kors British Tan Hamilton Tote.
And continued until December 2014 in the streets of Naples, Italy.
I was in Italy over the Christmas Holiday, visiting my cousin's paternal family in Sicily.
We started in Rome, Christmas Eve. Several days later, we took the high speed train to Naples, eventually flying to Palermo, Sicily and taking a bus to Paceco where we stayed with family during one of the coldest winters in History.
But that adventure is for another post and another time and it does include a tote!
The streets of Naples. December 2014.
It was cccold and I was sick and feverish. My cousin insisted on walking along the tiny streets of Naples one night to enjoy the holiday lights and wonderful presepis.
Since I knew I would be bundled up tight with layers and layers of shirts and scarves under my jacket, including my cross body purse, I put a 20 Euro note in my jeans pocket to spend: for a trinket, a sidewalk hot beverage, or something else that caught my eye.
My thought was that I wouldn't get a chill unbuttoning my jacket to access my purse. I could just slip my hand in under my jacket to access my money.
Although it was poetically FREEZING COLD that evening, I walked slow marveling at the millions of strands of twinkling lights and the multicolored lighted holiday scenes cris-crossing the streets along the roof tops. All the stores were opened and tables were heavily laden with trinkets, and fares of every shape and size. The sidewalk cafes were filled with revelers braving the cold with pastries, chestnuts, and cups of steaming espresso or tea.
We turned down one street, and I saw a ratty blanket laid down along side the building. And on top of this blanket was an assortment of Designer bags wrapped in individual plastic bags. I recognized many iconic bags from Chanel, Hermes, Prada, of every size, shape, and color bags, including the Louis Vuitton PM tote. I stopped to look because I had my eye on that costly tote for years and was intrigued for a closer look.
The Hawker proudly exclaimed, Designer Bags. Practically Free, and I smiled.
Please. I know that they were counterfeit, fake, knock offs what ever the term.
I knew it. It was more than obvious... Please. Thousands of Euros of Designer Bags, lying on a blanket that looked like it belonged on someone's bed, on the street of Naples and they are being sold for pennies of the real price? ... really?
I knew that I should not encourage the selling of counterfeit goods, but I asked to see it. Just see it, touch it, try it on; and that started the haggling. My fault, I know.
I had no intention of purchasing a FAKE Louis Vuitton tote for 120 Euros or any price for that fact. But, the tall Nigerian hawker was persistent and finally, I said... 20 Euros.
The note in my pocket that was supposed to pay for a hot beverage, not a fake Louie tote. He was rightfully insulted and I thought triumphantly, "now I can leave and where is the cafe?" I turned to walk away and I heard...
All right, 20 Euros.
My jaw dropped and the voice in my head screamed
"NO! I want a pot of hot tea! Not a FAKE LOUIE TOTE!!!"
What could I do?
I set the price, he accepted it.
And just like that, I became the owner of a Louis Vuitton PM tote purchased in Italy.
Every woman's dream.
The fact that it was as fake as the Italian winter was cold was irrelevant.
I owned a LOUIS VUITTON PM TOTE! Purchased in ITALY!
The love affair with that Napoli Fake Louie continued for years.
The straps were a comfortable 8" drop; the interior was light colored, although sometimes it felt like anything that was dropped into the depths disappeared forever; I over stuffed it and it carried everything and asked for more! It traveled with me Here and There, and Every where.
It was fake, but it got noticed and that felt good. I felt like I had stepped up onto another rung of the ladder of ... Arrival.
I can afford ... this Designer bag and still eat out, drive my car, go on vacations outside of California, and live comfortably in San Diego.
I soon began carrying it everywhere despite the fact that it started to quickly disintegrate. I just told myself that it was 'vintage' because the straps had quickly turned a yummy caramel color that is similar and highly coveted in other vintage LV handbags.
Then one day, my daughter shamed me, in front of a large line of women, for carrying the ratty Napoli Fake Louis because NOW, it was obviously beginning to look Fake and not just 'vintage,'
like I had convinced myself and she pointed out its obvious disintigration.
Exasperated at me and the embarrassed by the condition of my Tote, she said,
Just buy the real PM tote Mom, you know you can afford it and obviously you like and want the bag.
Yes, I did want the REAL Louis Vuitton PM tote with matching ponchette, but the steep $1500 price tag was difficult to justify and actually pay. Until I did...
My husband said that I strutted while carrying the yellow and blue LV shopping bag walking around Fashion Valley mall.
I may have, but that is hearsay ;)
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| Orange and blue Louis Vuitton box and bag |
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| Logo bag |
Today... I own a Louis Vuitton PM Tote. Purchased in San Diego, California, 3 miles from my house.
And all the extras a Quality Hand Bag comes with: a matching pouchette, a felt logo dust bag, and a quality LV logo paper bag and box.
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| Louis Vuitton PM tote with the matching Pouchette |
Am I happy? Have I truly "arrived?"
I think so :) but the smile on my face and the strut in my step says it all.
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